2018 Dec 21 Proverbs 21, Psalms, 1Peter 1
2018 Dec 21 Proverbs 21, Psalms, 1Peter 1
Hello, warmly wishing you a fine day! Let's pick up in Proverbs 21, this time verses 14-20.
"14 A secret gift subdues anger, And a hidden bribe, fierce rage. 15 It is a joy for the righteous one to act with justice, But it is something terrible to those who practice evil. 16 The man who strays from the way of insight Will rest in the company of those powerless in death. 17 The one who loves having a good time will come to poverty; The one who loves wine and oil will not grow rich. 18 The wicked one is a ransom for the righteous one, And the treacherous one will be taken in place of the upright. 19 Better to dwell in the wilderness Than with a quarrelsome and irritable wife. 20 Precious treasure and oil are found in the house of the wise, But the stupid man will squander what he has."
Prov 21:14 Recall Jacob's dealings with his brother Esau. When Jacob was unsure about his brother's feelings toward him, and was about to meet him, he sent several gifts ahead of him. When they finally met, it was with heartfelt brotherly affection. (Gene 32:11-21, 33:1-7).
Prov 21:15,16 Thus practicing true righteousness brings us inner joy, part of the fruitage of God's spirit. Ignoring God's ways causes one to miss out on such joy--and they may not know why. Such a course, without repentance, ends up in death. Thus Proverbs 24:11 exhorts us: "Rescue those being taken away to death, and hold back those staggering to the slaughter."
Prov 21:17 Of course, there is nothing wrong with having a good time, but where are our priorities? It is a form of idolatry to greedily place such desires ahead of our love for God and spiritual things. Nothing should ever rival the place God holds in our heart. Even marriage partners should both look to God first, showing their greatest love for each other by helping one another be loyal to God. Thus true happiness in marriage can be enjoyed, exalting the God of love. Priorities maintained, married ones are then instructed by God to love one another as "one flesh" (Gene 2:24).
Prov 21:18 Disloyal, treacherous ones may seek to take the life of the righteous, but they will fall into their own pit, as God loyally upholds and protects his servants.
Prov 21:19 Great effort should be made by such a husband to love, cherish, and comfort his wife, helping her pray for God's spirit with self-control and Christian mildness, treating one another with gentle and loving respect. When irritation enters, it is time to act to see how to fix the problem or how to cope with it with faithfulness, removing the cause of irritation.
Prov 21:20 The wise one may thus have wine and oil, but nothing rivals his love for God. The wise one makes good use of resources, refusing to foolishly squander all he has. He certainly realizes the wisdom of saving resources for the future, but relying on God for such judgments, to avoid needless working excessively to the exclusion of giving proper attention to loved ones. Discerning the balanced view is thus a wise practice.
The next 8 verses of Psalm 119 each begin with the 21st letter of the Hebrew alphabet:
"161 Princes persecute me for no cause, But my heart stands in awe of your words. 162 I rejoice over your saying Like someone who finds great spoil. 163 I hate falsehood—I detest it—I love your law. 164 Seven times a day I praise you Because of your righteous judgments. 165 Abundant peace belongs to those who love your law; Nothing can make them stumble. 166 I hope for your acts of salvation, O Jehovah, And I observe your commandments. 167 I keep your reminders, And I love them dearly. 168 I observe your orders and your reminders, For you are aware of all that I do."
Verse 165 shows the value of loving God's law, based on true love. It leads not only to "abundant peace," but helps one have such loyalty to God that nothing anyone does discourages them from serving Him faithfully. Verse 166 references God's acts of salvation, which He performs daily, especially for those loving Him, seeking His righteousness. May we appreciatively keep His commandments and observe His loving reminders.
1Peter 1 describes the salvation for a limited number, which Christ's resurrection exemplified, being raised to heavenly life. Ones with this hope have been especially "distressed by various trials, in order that the tested quality of [their] faith, of much greater value than gold that perishes despite its being tested by fire, may be found a cause for praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." Of course, those with hopes of an earthly Paradise also need such refining of faith, and may rejoice as well as they meet tests faithfully, with integrity to God. How Christ's heavenly anointed followers, serving as kings and priests, rejoice at seeing such ones remain obedient to God under test! Such faithful ones may enjoy precious privileges of service to God in his coming new world, while all may certainly enjoy learning and educating others in true Christian living. There will be the final test that all will need to be prepared to face faithfully, loyally to God. May we bolster our faith now, that we may assist others to have strong faith in God through the end of the current system, on into the new.


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